Phl presses China, neighbors to draft code of conduct in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday reiterated the country's position on the dispute with China over territories in the South China Sea Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders convene in a security meeting in Brunei.

The DFA has filed an arbitration case before a UN court  to decide on the Philippines and China's claim over the islands.

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting, Del Rosario urged the body to craft a binding South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) "as soon as possible."

Related story: UN arbitration on sea row upholds rule of law

"From the Philippine perspective, a rules-based approach in the management and resolution of disputes in the South China Sea has two complementary elements: first, the early conclusion of a legally-binding and substantive COC, envisaged in the ASEAN-China DOC; and second, third party arbitration of maritime disputes under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," Del Rosario said at the 20th Asean Regional Forum in Bendar Seri Begawan.

He added that the COC must be loyal to the the existing Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC), a non-binding political statement signed in 2002 seeking cooperation between signatories, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China.

Del Rosario explained that the DOC's main goals are the peaceful settlement of disputes, restraint between involved parties, non use of military force as well as respect for UNCLOS.

He added that according to UNCLOS, no country may take over unoccupied rocks, reefs, shoals and other featured in the South China Sea.

China, meanwhile, has recently agreed to cooperate in formal talks on the crafting of the COC to be held in September.

Del Rosario also said that the Philippines is gearing toward the official consultations to bring an end to the maritime tension.

"The Philippines is fully committed to work with all ASEAN members in partnership with China," he said.

UNCLOS establishes countries' Exclusive Economic Zones or EEZs and Continental Shelves set from the edge of their territories to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from the baseline.

These zones determine whether a country has the sole right to natural resources within its scope.

China has forwarded its claim on territories such as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal well within the 200 nautical-mile limit of the Philippines.

Panatag, for one, has been under China's de facto rule since 2012, while Chinese vessels have been spotted off Ayungin the past few months.

Last Sunday, del Rosario made international news when he accused of China of having increasing military presence in South China Sea.

Related story: Chinese news analyst calls Phi a 'troublemaker'